WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two lawsuits were filed against the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) last week on behalf of a teen victim after Deputy Austin Lee Edwards traveled across the country and killed three people.
The lawsuit was filed by the Breit Biniazan law firm on behalf of the teen victim on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, seeking $50 million in compensatory damages.
A similar lawsuit was filed in November 2023 by Mychelle Blandin, the aunt of the teen who suffered emotional and physical distress during the incident.
“The failure of the WCSO to properly screen the individuals they cloak with State authority is shocking and unacceptable,” said Attorney Scott Perry with Breit Biniazan. “Without a badge, a gun, and this cloak of authority, Edwards would not have been able to commit these heinous acts.”
Edwards, then 28 years old, was a former Virginia State Police trooper and Washington County Sheriff’s deputy when he began a deceptive online relationship with a then-15-year-old girl by “catfishing” her into believing he was a 17-year-old boy.
When the teen blocked Edwards on Instagram in fall 2022 for being “clingy” and “pushy,” and wanting her to engage in sexual activity she was uncomfortable with, he reportedly emailed her a suicide note.
Edwards had a history of mental health issues, including a court-imposed stay at a psychiatric facility after he threatened to kill his father and himself in 2016. Despite this history, he was successfully hired by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The lawsuit claims Edwards’ hiring was the result of the sheriff’s office’s failure to conduct an adequate background check.
On Nov. 23, 2022, Edwards began a two-day driving trip from Virginia to California. On Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, Edwards arrived at the teen’s home and posed as a law enforcement officer, using his badge and gun, to gain entry. He then told the grandparents who were home to call the teen’s mother and bring them back to the house.
According to court documents, the teen stayed in the car while her mother went inside the house. After a while, she sensed that something was wrong and she entered the house before being suddenly yanked by her hair by a man she did not recognize. She then saw her mother and grandparents on the floor.
“They were all lying face down with bags over their heads that were taped at the neck,” the criminal complaint alleges. “Their arms were bound behind them with duct tape, and their legs were taped together as well.”
According to court documents, Edwards then pointed a gun in the teen’s face, told her who he was and began dragging her throughout the house as he poured gasoline throughout the house.
“After lighting the house on fire and opening windows so the fire would spread, Edwards forced [the teen] into the backseat of his vehicle,” the criminal complaint reads. “Clearly deranged, Edwards stated his intention to take [her] back to Virginia to live with him.”
A neighbor spotted smoke coming from the home and called the fire department. Firefighters then found the bodies and notified law enforcement who managed to successfully trace Edwards’ vehicle.
“During the pursuit, Edwards began shooting the firearm through the back window of the vehicle,” the criminal complaint alleges. “The vehicle filled with smoke.”
Edwards’ vehicle then became stuck on rocks under a bridge and police vehicles caught up to him. According to court documents, Edwards told the teen he was going to shoot himself and told her to get out of the vehicle. She did so and ran away from the scene before Edwards killed himself with the firearm.
“This family has been mercilessly torn apart and [our client] must live with the reality of that horrific day,” Perry said. “We want justice for [her] family and to prevent this from happening again.”
The lawsuit against the Washington County Sheriff’s Office alleges failure to screen, vicarious liability and negligent hiring.
